Bulletproof Glass Everything You Need to Know About Bulletproof Glass

Bulletproof Glass Everything You Need to Know About Bulletproof Glass At first glance, the bulletproof glass looks like an ordinary pane of glass. But, the appearance is only common between them. The bulletproof glass is a multi-purpose protective glass for vehicles and structures that need an additional level of security. It is designed to withstand one or many rounds of bullets depending on the firing weapon and the thickness of the glass.

Bulletproof glass reduces the velocity by absorbing the energy from the bullets. However, it is not fully impenetrable. It means that “bulletproof glass” is a more commonly used to describe the product but a more accurate term is “armored ballistic glass or bullet-resistant glass”.

Can a glass actually be bulletproof?

The simple answer is yes, glass can be bulletproof. Its protection ability totally depends on its quality and manufacturers. Because if manufacturers don’t choose high-quality or inadequate substance for glass manufacturing, such glass might not work.

Similarly, the thickness of the bulletproof glass is another important factor to check how protective the glass is. Glass with less thickness may give adequate protection against only certain types of bullets.

However, others may still penetrate through.

On the other hand, a thicker glass offers utmost protection against most types of bullets. Bullets from a rifle or other heavy weapons require a super thick glass. Whereas, a bullet released from a handgun may not require thicker glass.

It is important to keep in mind that no glass is 100% bulletproof. Therefore, deadly weapons with highspeed bullets may penetrate a super thick bulletproof glass too.

What is bullet proof glass made of?

Various types of material are used to manufacture bulletproof glass that offers a different level of protection. These levels range from level 1 that can protect against 9mm bullets to level 10 that can sustain some 50 BMG bullets.

There are two most common types of resins used for bullet-resistant glass, acrylic and polycarbonate plastic. However, polycarbonate has become the most popular bulletproof glass material that gives the utmost level of protection.

1. Solid Acrylic Bullet Resistant Glass Glass made of acrylic is commonly designed for conventional use. It is usually a 1.25-inch thick sheet acrylic sheet that offers basic level 1 protection. However, the thickness can be increased or decreased depending upon the security level. This type of glass is suitable for a situation where projectiles are breaking glass windows. It also sustains a few 9mm bullets as well.

2. Laminated Polycarbonate Glass

You can obtain a bulletproof glass by placing polycarbonate between two spreads of glass. In this case, you need to laminate all three layers. Polycarbonate glasses are more secure than acrylic glasses. Again, the thickness of the glass depends upon the intensity of the security necessary.

3. Glass-Clad Polycarbonate You can get a strong and durable armored ballistic glass by Sandwiching layered polycarbonate between the two sheets of glass. It doesn’t only improve the protection level but also gives high visibility.

The glass that uses glass-clad polycarbonate can stop AK-47 or M 16 ammunition. Therefore, it is used in dangerous zones such as areas prone to explosions, dangerous weather, and other impact intrusions.

Manufacturers use different polycarbonate plastics to form the middle layer of the glass. Makroclear and cryolon are two common types of polycarbonate plastics. These layers of plastic truly decrease the momentum of the bullets.

Polycarbonate bullet-resistant glass can protect against a variety of weapons ranging from handguns to extremely powerful rifles. For example, B5 level glass with 1-inch thickness can sustain .357 Magnum rifles bullets.

Increasing the thickness and durability of the glass might decrease the ability to transmit light. Light transmission and the weight of the glass are essential for practical reasons. For example, if a glass offers a greater level of protection but doesn’t have optical clarity, such glass is not worth using.

Therefore, manufacturers not only consider the strength of the material but also the optical clarity of the glass. Acrylic and polycarbonate offer both these characteristics.

How is a bulletproof glass made?

A simple bulletproof glass contains 3 layers i.e. two sheets of standard glass and one layer of plastic.

Thin layers of an optical-clear and tough plastic, known as PVB, are sandwiched between sheets of standard glass. Polyurethane and ethylene-vinyl acetate are other laminated materials. These layers are bonded together with heat.

For strengthening the bond, the temperature should be up to 150 o C. And, apply pressure nearly 13 to 14 times more than atmospheric pressure in an autoclave. At this temperature and pressure, the melted plastic makes a strong bond with the glass.

How thick is bulletproof glass?

A bullet-resistant glass is made of multiple layers. The simplest glass contains at least 3 layers i.e. one layer of plastic and two glass standard glass sheets. The plastic layer is sandwiched between two panes of standard glass. The thickness depends upon the total number of layers in the glass.

The thickness of the security glass is increased depending upon the hunting rifle ammunition and the speed of the bullet. More layers give high protection level. So the thickness can range from 0.25 to 3.5 inches to prevent different categories of firepower. For example: 

Small Handguns: You need to use level 1 or B$ level bullet-resistant glass to prevent small handguns attack. Such types of glass are used to protect gas stations, pharmacies, and retail outlets.

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Large Caliber Handguns: Level 2 bullet resistant glass can be used to sustain large caliber handguns. These glasses are ideal to protect financial institutions.

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Super Powered Handguns: To protect from high powered guns, level 3 bulletproof glass can be used. You can use such glasses to protect high-occupancy and high-risk buildings including government institutions.

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Automatic Weapons or Assault Rifles: Level 4 to 8 bulletproof glass or B7 rank glass protect from deadly weapons such as assault rifles. Such glasses are used to protect embassies, military, and high-level government buildings.

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